EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET THE DIRECTOR May 24, 2010 ‘The Honorable Patrick J. Murphy U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Representative Murphy: am writing in response to your May 24, 2010, letter to the President. While ideally the Department of Defense Comprehensive Review on the Implementation of Repeal of 10 U.S.C. § 654 would be completed before the Congress takes any legislative action, the Administration understands that Congress has chosen to move forward with legislation now and secks the Administration’s views on the proposed amendment. Accordingly, the Administration is of the view that the proposed amendment meets the concems raised by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The proposed amendment will allow for completion of the Comprehensive Review, enable the Department of Defense to assess the results of the review, and ensure that the implementation of the repeal is consistent with standards of military readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion, recruiting and retention. The amendment will also guarantee that the Department of Defense has prepared the necessary policies and regulations needed to successfully implement thé repeal. Furthermore, such an approach recognizes the critical need to allow our military and their families the full opportunity to inform and shape the implementation process through a thorough understanding of their concerns, insights, and suggestions. The Administration therefore supports the proposed amendment, Sincerely Lh eter R. Orszag Director Identical Letter Sent to The Honorable Joseph J. Lieberman and The Honorable Carl Levin